VANCOUVER – For the second game in a row the Lethbridge Pronghorn women's rugby team fell behind and wasn't able to recover, dropping a 22-7 decision to the UBC Thunderbirds in Vancouver.
 
It was a low scoring first half that featured back and forth battles for field position under a mix of sun and cloud on the point grey campus. UBC had a 5-0 lead at the break but was able to find another gear midway through the second half to pull away and improve to 2-0 on the young season while the visiting Pronghorns saw their record fall to 0-2.
 
In the opening 20 minutes UBC enjoyed good possession and managed to get the ball in threatening positions on a couple of occasions but Lethbridge was equal to the task with matching goal-line stands. After the early denials UBC was able to break the deadlock thanks to centre Shoshanah Seumanutafa's try in the 28th minute, Seumanutafa's conversion attempt fell just short but the hosts had claimed a 5-0 lead.
 
Just before the halftime whistle a concerning hush came over the crowd as UBC's first-year lock Emma Feldinger was involved in a big collision in which she needed medical attention. Feldinger would remain down for the better part of half an hour as all involved took every precaution with her upper body injury until paramedics arrived with a stretcher.
 
After a lengthy delay the second half began with the Pronghorns showing good energy and possession to start. After some build up play in UBC territory it was the 'Birds that showed some good resilience in denying a couple Lethbridge scoring opportunities.
 
Approaching the 60th minute UBC would begin to start finding their legs again highlighted with some wide runs from wing Vivianna Johnson to gain prime field position. That's when 'Birds captain Madison Gold seized an opportunity to slalom up the middle from 30 yards out for the try. Seumanutafa was good on the conversion and a 12-0 UBC lead.
 
Six minutes later back row Lyric Atchison got in the act with a try of her own to increase UBC's lead to 17-0. In minute 73 Seumanutafa would strike again with a stepping up for a surprise intercept at midfield and went the other way untouched for a try. The scorer's conversion attempt would fall just short but the hosts had increased their lead to 22-0.
 
The Pronghorns were down but now out as they responded shortly thereafter in the 76th minute with an impressive show of speed and agility from fourth-year winger Hailey Driscoll who found the edge down the left sideline for the untouched try and the visitors first points of the match. Halfback Caitlin Sears followed up with the conversion and the final points scored on the evening as UBC would secure the 22-7 win.
 
The Pronghorns get one day to rest before a date with the University of Victoria Vikes on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in Victoria.

LETH      0-7          7
UBC       5-17       22
 
SCORING SUMMARY
First half
28' – UBC TRY – Shoshanah Seumanutafa (convert missed) – UBC 5-0
 
Second half
60' – UBC TRY – Madison Gold (Shoshanah Seumanutafa convert) – UBC 12-0
66' – UBC TRY – Lyric Atchison (convert missed) – UBC 17-0
73' – UBC TRY – Shoshanah Seumanutafa (convert missed) – UBC 22-0
76' – Lethbridge TRY – Hailey Driscoll (Caitlin Sears convert) – UBC 22-7